The Japanese population shrank again in 2016, as the number of births fell below one million for the first time since statistics were first compiled. This article examines the year's demographic data from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.(More)

In Vietnam, which lacks an adequate social welfare system, informal community-based activities play a major role in the well-being of elderly residents. The Intergenerational Self-Help Club (ISHC) in Thanh Hóa province on Vietnam’s north central coast is one example.(More)

In Vietnam, which lacks an adequate social welfare system, Mahayana Buddhist institutions play a key role in securing the welfare of elderly residents. At a temple in the old central Vietnamese capital of Hue, these residents live in peace and comfort with the support of Buddhist nuns.(More)

Compared to cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai in Thailand’s north offers cooler weather and an easier way of life that attracts not only tourists but also permanent residents from overseas. The tranquil, picturesque city is home to more than a hundred Buddhist temples, as well as the Old City with its ancient walls, and is surrounded by lushly forested hills and mountains, including Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak. In this installment, we look at efforts in this region to make life easier for older residents.(More)

The aging of society in Thailand outstrips that in all other ASEAN countries. Thai government policy identifies “family and community” as core providers of care, a stance reflecting cultural and social traditions. But how do the people of Thailand approach care for older citizens in day-to-day life? This is the first installment of a two-part report on observations from fieldwork in Thailand.(More)

Tokyo, Feb. 13 (Jiji Press)—Panasonic unveiled on Monday an electric wheelchair that can move autonomously after users give it a destination via a smartphone application.
The wheelchair, designed for use by elderly and disabled people at airports and other facilities, will avoid colliding with obstacles and pedestrians by utilizing sensors. It can come to pick up users when called and move with…(More)

The Philippine population, which now exceeds 100 million, has already begun to gray. National and local governments are making progress on support for older residents, but volunteers and NGOs are increasingly expected to fill the gaps left by insufficient funding and other difficulties.(More)

In the Philippines, like other Southeast Asian countries, caring for older people falls mostly to family members, but private organizations step in to help older people who live alone or are in difficult financial situations. This warm and human response to genuine need also reflects the Filipino tradition of respect for one’s elders.(More)

In South Korea, the late 1980s saw the beginning of a trend toward supporting the social welfare of communities by establishing local centers for that purpose. The Wolgye Social Welfare Center in Nowon, Seoul, is one such facility. The success of its “Beautiful Neighbors” program, in which people contribute to social welfare by donating goods and services that local residents need, has made it a model for similar programs around the country.(More)

Jongno, Seoul, is home to a rich array of support services for the senior citizens who gather there. One such establishment is Memories Plus, which, with support from the private sector, offers patrons inexpensive refreshments and a place to relax. The success Memories Plus has found encouraging interaction between its patrons and creating employment for older residents is attracting attention.(More)